Finding Your Win in the Pain Battle

If you are someone all to familiar with chronic pain, you're probably taking a lot of medication in an attempt to control it. Perhaps you've even tried surgery to end the pain. For some reason, pain persists-and it's likely to, possibly, the rest of your life. A pain pump might be the solution.
David Welch, PA, with Midwest Pain Clinics, explains how it works. "A pain pump delivers medication directly to your spinal cord. The system uses a small pump (about the size of a hockey puck) that is surgically placed under your skin. The pump delivers medication through a catheter directly to the pain area, so your symptoms can be controlled with a much smaller dose of medicine than what you would take orally. For example, you may take 100 mg orally, yet it only takes 1 mg through the pump. Taking less means less side effects of the medication."
"Once the pump is surgically connected, the battery lasts 5-7 years. The pump is programmed to release medication over a period of time, as determined by the doctor. If changes are needed, the doctor can reprogram the dosing. When the medication reservoir is empty, about every 2-3 months, the doctor or nurse refills the pump by inserting a needle through your skin to fill the port. It's considered a permanent surgery, but it can be removed surgically at any time."
"Because of government regulations around opioids, and other pain medications, we have to get people on lower doses. For those who have chronic, uncontrolled pain, a pain pump can be an option to improve pain management and have better quality of life."
For more information, contact Midwest Pain Clinics, in Dakota Dunes, SD, at 605-242-3456.